St. Martin Sailing Itinerary

Marigot

Marigot is the capital of the French side of St. Martin. The waterfront is attractive, the shops and boutiques plentiful, and the selection of restaurants varied and known for quality French cuisine. Of course, casual eateries also abound, as do lively bars with live entertainment. Cruising in Marigot is a wonderful way to ease into a St. Martin yacht charter.

Mooring

No moorings are available. The anchorage is south of Marina Fort-Louis. There’s plenty of space and the holding is good.

Dinghy dockage: Dinghy dockage is available.

Things to do

Restaurants and shopping are the main attractions in Marigot.

Facilities

Dockage, fuel, water, showers, ice, laundry facilities, provisions, Internet access, banks, taxis, and car rentals are available.

St. Martin

The island of St. Martin has two spellings since half of it is French (St. Martin) and the other half is Dutch (St. Maarten). More than one million visitors arrive every year to enjoy the beautiful beaches, the duty-free shopping, the hundreds of restaurants, luxury hotels, and the dozen or so casinos. For sailors the annual St. Maarten Heineken Regatta held every March and the Classic Yacht Regatta in January are major events. The fully serviced marinas in Simpson Bay and Simpson Bay Lagoon (the landlocked lagoon is 12 square miles!) are always a bustle of activity, and superyachts are everywhere, like floating palaces. Marine parks on the island offer superb swimming and snorkeling, and the beaches are fantastic.

Orient Bay

Situated on the northeast coast of French St. Martin, yachting in Orient Bay is popular among sailors cruising the northern Leeward Islands. Aside from its beautiful white sandy beach and the plethora of watersports, kite surfing, windsurfing, kayaking, and the many restaurants and boutiques, the bay has a quieter side as well. If you want nude beaches and lively nightlife, it is available, however, a relaxing evening aboard in a scenic anchorage, is also a favourite.  The only caveat is that Orient Bay can be difficult to enter in certain conditions. At all times, careful attention is warranted.

Mooring

No moorings are available. Orient Bay is wide open to the east. However, there are two good anchorages. The small anchorage on the west side of Ile Pinel is snug and quiet at night with good holding, and far from the hustle to the south at Green Cay.  At Green Cay, the anchorage is also on the west side. Holding is good.

Dinghy dockage: Dinghy dockage is available at Ile Pinel and Green Cay.

Things to do

Ile Pinel is mostly secluded, though there are beachside shacks where you can rent windsurfing and other watersports equipment. Snacks and soft drinks are available, and you can arrange a ride in an ultralight aircraft for some incredible, and heart-racing, views. There are also a few restaurants and shops within walking distance of the dinghy docks. On Green Cay, nude sunbathing is popular on the eastern stretch of Orient Beach; elsewhere, swimsuits are more in vogue. Windsurfing and other watersports are popular. Rentals are available. A number of restaurants are on the waterfront and provide a good place to enjoy a convivial atmosphere.

Facilities

Ice is available.

Gustavia

The main port of entry on St. Barts is the scenic and chic harbor of Gustavia, situated on the south side of the island near its western end. Snug and protected, this harbor is a favorite among wealthy owners of superyachts. Boutiques featuring world famous designer wear and jewelry vie for space with superb restaurants specializing in French cuisine, though more casual places to dine are also nestled on the picturesque streets. The red roofs of many of the buildings give Gustavia a distinct character. Some sailors call it the Riviera of the Caribbean. Cruising in Gustavia waters is a highlight of any Eastern Caribbean yacht charter.

Mooring

Moorings are available for a fee. The anchorage is extensive and often crowded at the peak of the winter season. The bottom is weedy in some places. Make certain your anchor is well dug.

Dinghy dockage: Dinghy dockage is available.

Things to do

The boutiques and restaurants are the main attraction of Gustavia, apart from its picturesque town and wonderful French culture. A hike up the hills to the lighthouse at Fort Gustav is well worth it for the views. You can also climb the steps up Fort Karl.

Facilities

Water, ice, showers, garbage disposal, provisions, taxis, car rentals, and Internet access are available.

St. Barts

St. Barts (St. Barthemey) is a relatively small island popular for the French allure of Gustavia, the main harbor and settlement. A wide mix of chic boutiques, art galleries, and superb restaurants line the streets of this scenic town tucked against the shore at the base of lush green hills. A short hike up to the lighthouse at Fort Gustav affords unparalleled panoramic views of the surrounding islands. The quiet, picturesque anchorage at Anse de Colombier is a secluded bay off the beaten track, promising a restful night in a beautiful setting. The white sandy beach curves along the shore, perfect for swimming and sunbathing. The bay is part of the St. Barts Marine Reserve, well known for its superlative snorkeling and scuba diving.

Anse de Colombier

Scenic and well protected, this horseshoe-shaped bay at the western tip of St. Barts is popular among cruisers for its beauty, beach, and snorkeling. Steep hills overlook the blue waters, where you’ll find all manner of yachts at anchor. On the southern hill is a house built by the Rockefeller family, which once owned Anse de Colombier. Now it’s part of the St. Barts Marine Reserve. The bay has no road access, but there’s a trail up the hills to the village of Anse de Flamandes, on a nearby beach. When you go yachting in Anse de Colombier, you’re sure to find the beauty and charm of the Eastern Caribbean.

Mooring

Moorings are available at no charge. There is plenty of room to anchor. Holding is good in sand.

Dinghy dockage: No dinghy dockage is available. Beach the dinghy.

Things to do

Snorkeling is popular in the bay and is good most everywhere. In calm conditions, the rocks surrounding Ile de la Pointe, which hems in the bay to the south, are a great place for snorkeling and scuba diving. South of that is an inlet where sea turtles and sea rays are sometimes observed. At the north end of the beach, you’ll find stairs leading to the top of the hills and a scenic trail that meanders through patches of fragrant lilies and cactuses. There are a few shops in the village.

Facilities

No facilities for yachts are available.

Great Bay, Philipsburg

Located on the shores of Great Bay, Philipsburg, the capital of Dutch St. Maarten, is a busy place with all the amenities a boater could want. Marinas, waterfront stores and restaurants, a selection of casinos, and plenty of nightlife make Great Bay cruising one of the more popular adventures on the island.

Mooring

No moorings are available. Anchor off the breakwaters of the inner harbor and north of the cruise ship docks. Holding is good.

Dinghy dockage: Dinghy dockage is available.

Things to do

The shops, restaurants, and casinos are the main attractions of Philipsburg. There is a small museum as well.

Facilities

Dockage, fuel, water, showers, ice, laundry facilities, provisions, Internet access, banks, taxicabs, and car rentals are available.

Road Bay

The main port of entry to the British island of Anguilla, Road Bay, is one of the nicest anchorages in the northern Leewards. A beautiful white sandy beach runs along the shore, where you’ll find numerous casual restaurants and bars. Laid-back and unpretentious is the rule on Anguilla, one of the chief appeals of Road Bay yachting.

Mooring

No moorings are available in Road Bay. Moorings are placed throughout the marine park and are available as part of the cruising permit fee on a first come, first served basis. In Road Bay, there is ample room to anchor, except near the ship dock (keep clear of it). Holding is good.

Dinghy dockage: Dinghy dockage is available.

Things to do

Enjoy a meal at one of the restaurants and bars. Johnno’s has live music on weekends. The island is large, with small hamlets and all kinds of interesting shops and restaurants spread out along quiet roads. The main settlement is The Valley. Fantastic beaches are everywhere. Consider renting a car to take an island tour. The bird watching is excellent at Caul’s Pond. Of course, dive excursions to the reefs are available, if you want a guided tour to some of the best spots, including the seven wrecks sunk on the reef to create a habitat for the myriad of tropical fish, sea fans, and corals. Anguilla is sometimes known as the wreck dive capital of the Leeward Islands.

Facilities

Provisions, propane, taxis, car rentals, and Internet access are available.

Anguilla

Known for its beautiful beaches, numerous coves and bays, as well as its marine park, low-lying Anguilla is laid-back Caribbean charm at its best. The mix of quiet anchorages and towns with a variety of restaurants and bars has long attracted sailors. The snorkeling on the reefs where colorful tropical fish abound is excellent in many locations, and scuba diving on the seven wrecks sunk deliberately on the reef to create a thriving habitat for sea life is some of the best in the Caribbean. Dives off Sandy Island and the Prickly Pear Cays are popular. The anchorage off Crocus Bay, on the north shore of Anguilla, is protected, quiet, and beautiful.

Crocus Bay

 

Crocus Bay cruising brings you to a peaceful and secluded anchorage with cliffs rising from white-sand beaches.

Mooring

 

Moorings are available in Little Bay during the day, but not for overnight stays. The anchorage in Crocus Bay is south of Pelican Point. Holding is good.

Dinghy dockage: No dinghy dockage is available. Beach the dinghy.

Things to do

The snorkeling is superb from Pelican Point in Crocus Bay and the beach is excellent for swimming and sunbathing. Just north is Little Bay, which has day use moorings. The colorful 70-foot cliffs are truly splendid and the birds (including lots of pelicans) are plentiful and fun to watch. The main settlement on Anguilla, The Valley, is within walking distance of the beach at Crocus Bay. The Savannah art gallery, which you’ll pass on the way, has a selection of beautiful paintings to admire (or buy). Next to the gallery is Koal Keel, an upmarket restaurant and a good choice for dining ashore.

Facilities

No facilities for yachts are available.